Independent suspension system for a motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

An independent suspension system for a motor vehicle having left and right wheels each positioned laterally by a suspension arm and guided vertically by a telescopic strut. A plurality of torsion springs interconnects the left and right suspension arms and is constructed to function as the main suspension spring, as an anti-roll stabilizer and as the struts positioning the suspension arms longitudinally in the vehicle.

United States Patent 191 Allison [111 3,733,087 1 May 15, 1973 [54lINDEPENDENT SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE [75] Inventor: WilliamD. Allison, Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.

[731 Assigneez Ford Motor Company, Dearborn,

Mich.

221 Filed: Dec. 21, 1970 21 Appl.No.: 100,114

52 us. Cl. ..280/96.2 R, 267/57, 280/124 B 51 Int. Cl. ..B62d 7/08 581Field of Search ..280/96.2, 124 B, zap/96.1; 267/57, 154

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,202,236 8/1965 Allison..280/124 B X 2,674,450 4/1954 Frank, ..280/96.2 R X 3,037,789 6/1962Allison ..267/57 X 2,871,505 2/1959 Clark et a] ..267/154 X 3,446,5145/1969 Allison ..280/l24 B 3,116,071 12/1963 Wilfert et al ..280/124 B3,257,123 I 6/1966 Giovinazzo ..280/96.2 R X 3,333,653 8/1967 Eirhart,Jr. ..280/96.2 X 3,278,196 10/1966 Van Winsen ..280/96.2 R 3,033,5875/1962 Perish ..280/96.2 R

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 915,989 1/1963 Great Britain ..280/96.2R

Primary Examiner--Leo Friaglia Assistant Examineright: P. Silverstrim A11161 5 1 R-[Fikffir 999 1 553151 [57] ABSTRACT An independentsuspension system for a motor vehicle having left and right wheels eachpositioned laterally by a suspension arm and guided vertically by atelescopic strut, A plurality of torsion springs interconnects the leftand right suspension arms and is constructed to function as the mainsuspension spring, as an anti-roll stabilizer and as thestruts'positioning the suspension arms longitudinally in the vehicle.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEB MY 1 5 I975 sum 1 OF 3 Fl G. 4

ATTORNEYS PATENTEU 3,733,087

SXHEEI 2 OF 3 INVENTOR l V/ZZ/A/Vl 0. AZZ/JO/V BY AAA/1M Wxaw ATTORNEYSINDEPENDENT SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to independent front suspensionsystems for motor vehicles. In one construction of the invention, thepath of the vehicle wheel during jounce and rebound movement is guidedin part by a telescopic pillar.

In addition, a multipurpose torsion spring means interconnects the leftand right wheel suspensions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE In the presently preferred embodiment ofthis invenwardly from the piston 24 and has its upper end secured tobody structure 28 by means of a resilient con- I nection. The resilientconnection includes rubber bushcarries a king pin which pivotallysupports the wheel spindle.

A pair of torsion bar springs interconnect the left and right suspensionarms. The springs follow a parallel path and are supported on thevehicle frame at'spaced points forward of the suspension arms. Thespring bars BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The many objects andadvantages of an independent suspension system constructed in accordancewith this invention will become apparent upon consideration of thefollowing detailed discussion and the accompanying drawings, 'in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an independent front suspensionsystem for a motor vehicle constructed in accordance with thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the suspension system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the suspension system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of one of the torsion bar springs ofFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawingsfor a detailed description of the presently preferred embodiment, FIG. 1discloses an independent suspension system for a motor vehicle. Thesuspension system of FIG. 1 includes a vehicle frame 10, right and leftdirigible road wheels 11 and 12 and suspension means interconnecting thewheels with the frame.

The suspension means includes a left suspension arm 14 having its innerend pivotally connected to a frame cross member 16 by a pivot means 17.A telescopic strut 18 has its lower end connected to the suspension arm14 by a pivot 20.

The strut 18 includes a cylinder 22 in which a piston 24 is slidablysupported. A piston rod 26 extends upings 30. A dust tube 32 surroundsthe pistonrod 26 and protects it from contamination. The strut 18 isconstructed to function as a hydraulicshock absorber.

A casting 34 is secured to thelower end of the strut 18 and provides asupport for a king pin 36. A steering knuckle 38 is pivotally supportedby the king pin 36 and includes a spindle 40 on which the wheel 12 isrotatably mounted. v v

The foregoing description presents the suspension construction at theleft side of the vehicle. The suspension for the right is similarlyconstructed. I

In accordance with the present invention, means are provided to supportthe vehicle frame 10 upon the suspension arms, to control body roll andto control the longitudinal position of the suspension arms. Inaccordance with this invention, a pair of torsion bar springs 42 and 44are provided. The bars 42 and 44 have transversely extending midportions45 and 47 which are journalled in rubber bushings 46 and 48. Thebushings aresecured to a frame cross member 50.

Each of the bars 42, 44 is provided with longitudinally extending leftand right-hand portions. These portions of bar 42 are identified byreference numerals 52 and 54 while the longitudinal portionsof bar 44are identified by reference numerals 56 and S8. The ends of the leftlongitudinal bar portions 52 and 56 are bent outwardly in a lateraldirection to provide portions 60 and 62 that extend parallel to the leftsuspension arm 14. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tips of the bars areturned upwardly and extend through openings in the sheet metal formingthe arm structure. A clamp assembly 64 secures the bar portions 60 and62 to the arm 14 by means of bolts 66 and 68. The clamp assembly 64includes a rubber element 65 that engages the bar ends 60, 62 and isenclosed by a channel-shaped member 67.

The structure at the right side of the vehicle is generally similar. Theright suspension arm 70 extends laterally from its frame pivot 72. Thelongitudinal bar portions 54 and 58 are formed with ends 74 and 76 thatare angled laterally outwardly parallel to the suspension arm 70. Thebar ends 74 and 76 are secured to the suspension arm by means of a clampassembly 78 and bolts 80 and 82.

FIG. 4 shows a front elevational view of bar 44. The full line portionof the drawing discloses the configuration of the bar 44 prior toinstallation in a vehicle. When the bar is secured to the frame 10 bythe bushings 46 and 48 and to the suspension arms 14 and 70 by theclamps 64 and '78, it assumes the dotted-line configuration 44a. Theinternal stressing of the bar to the 44a configuration provides theforce that resiliently supports the chassis 10 upon the suspension arms14 and 70.

OPERATION The forward transverse sections of the bars 42, 44 are securedto the frame member 50 by the spaced resilient bushings 46, 48.

The outer end sections of the bars 42, 44 are forged at an angle in thefree state (see FIG. 4) to provide the desired loading on the wheels atdesigned height by torsion deflection of the forwardly extendingsections of the bars. Use of two or more bars as shown provides a backupsystem for wheel location in the event of a bar failure due to imperfectmaterial or corrosion.

in addition to functioning as torsion springs and drag struts, the barsalso work as anti-roll stabilizers. The longitudinal spring sections actas lever arms to torsionally deflect the transverse center sectionsduring roll conditions.

In the wheel spindle illustrated, the axes of the king pins aredisplaced rearwardly of the wheel spindle and given a caster angle toprovide a ground intersection point essentially opposite the center ofthe tire contact area. This arrangement provides benefits in maximumturn wheel positions with Ackermann steering, space within the wheel rimfor a forwardly extending steering arm and camber tilt toward the insideon turns. The telescopic pillar in the side view (FIG. 2) shows an angleslightly to the rear as it extends upwardly. This angle provides amodest anti-dive effect on forward brake application.

The total suspension package is characterized by light weight, optimumuse of space, low cost and good performance.

The foregoing description presents the presently preferred embodiment ofthis invention. Modificationsand alterations may occur to those skilledin the art that will come within the scope and spirit of the followingclaims.

I claim:

1. An independent suspension system for a motor vehicle comprising avehicle frame,

left and right steerable road wheels and suspension meansinterconnecting said wheels and said frame,

said suspension means comprising mutually independent left and rightwheel support members rotatably supporting said left and right roadwheels,

left and right suspension arms connected to said left and right wheelsupport members, respectively, and to said frame,

a plurality of torsion bars having generally parallel transverselyextending midportions mounted on said vehicle frame,

said bars having laterally extending end portions,

means rigidly securing said end portions to said suspension armsadjacent the outer ends of said arms,

said bars having longitudinally extended strut portions interconnectingsaid end portions and said transverse portions,

said bars being constructed to position said suspension armslongitudinally,

said bars being preloaded in torsion to resiliently support said frameon said suspension arms, and

said bars being constructed to resiliently resist angular displacementof said frame about a longitudinal roll axis.

2. An independent suspension system for a motor vehicle comprising avehicle frame,

left and right steerable road wheels and suspension meansinterconnecting said wheels and said frame,

said suspension means comprising mutually independent left and rightwheel support members rotatably supporting said left and right roadwheels,

left and right suspension arms pivotally connected to said left andright wheel support members at one of their ends and to said frame atthe other of their ends,

torsion bar means having a transversely extending midportion mounted onsaid vehicle frame,

said transverse midportion being longitudinally spaced from the axis ofrotation of said wheels,

said bar means having laterally outwardly extending end portions,

clamping means rigidly securing said end portions to said arms adjacentthe outer ends of said arms,

said bar means having longitudinally extended strut portionsinterconnecting said end portions and said transverse portion,

said bar means being constructed to position said suspension armslongitudinally,

said bars being preloaded in torsion to resiliently support said chassison said suspension arms, and

said bars being constructed to resiliently resist angular displacementof said frame about a longitudinal roll axis.

3. An independent'suspension system for a motor vehicle comprising avehicle frame,

left and right steerable road wheels and suspension meansinterconnecting said wheels and said frame,

said suspension means comprising mutually independent left and rightwheel support members rotatably supporting said left and right roadwheels,

left and right suspension arms interconnecting said left and right wheelsupport members and said frame,

a plurality of torsion bars arranged in generally sideby-side fashionand having generally parallel transversely extending midportions mountedon said vehicle frame,

said transverse midportions being longitudinally spaced from the axis ofrotation of said wheels,

said bars having laterally extending end portions,

means rigidly securing said end portions to said suspension armsadjacent the outer ends of said arms,

said bars having generally parallel longitudinally extended strutportions interconnecting said end portions and said transverse portions,

said bars being constructed to position said suspension armslongitudinally,

said bars being preloaded in torsion to resiliently support said chassison said suspension arms, and

said bars being constructed to resiliently resist angular displacementof said frame about a longitudinal roll axis.

4. An independent suspension system for a motor vehicle according toclaim 3 and including:

left and right telescopic pillars interconnecting said wheel supportmembers and said vehicle frame.

5. An independent suspension system for a motor vehicle according toclaim 3 and including: said transverse midportions being longitudinallyspaced from the axis of rotation of said wheels in a forward direction.6. An independent suspension system for a motor vehicle comprising avehicle frame,

left and right road wheels and suspension means interconnecting saidwheels and said frame, said suspension means comprising mutuallyindependent left and right wheel support members rotatably supportingsaid left and right road wheels,

left and right suspension arms interconnecting said left and right wheelsupport members and said frame, 5

a plurality of torsion bars arranged in generally sideby-side fashionand having generally parallel transversely extending midportions mountedon said vehicle frame,

said transverse midportions being longitudinally spaced from the axis ofrotation of said wheels,

said bars having laterally extending end portions connected to saidsuspension arms adjacent the outer ends of said arms,

said arms having a plurality of openings,

the tips of said end portions being angled upwardly and extendingthrough said openings,

clamping means securing said end portions to said arms,

said bars having generally parallel longitudinally extended strutportions interconnecting said end portions and said transverse portions,

said bars being constructed to position said suspension ar-mslongitudinally, to resiliently support said chassis on said suspensionarms and to resiliently resist angular displacement of said longitudinalroll axis.

7. An independent suspension system for a motor vehicle'comprising avehicle frame,

left and right roa'd wheels and suspension means interconnecting saidwheels and said frame,

said suspension means comprising mutually independent left and rightwheel support members rotatably supporting said left and right roadwheels,

left and right suspension arms interconnecting said left and right wheelsupport members and said frame,

a plurality of torsion bars arranged in generally sideby-side fashionand having generally parallel transversely extending midportions mountedon said vehicle frame,

said transverse midportions being longitudinally spaced from the axis-of rotation of said wheels,

said bars having laterally extending end portions connected to saidsuspension arms adjacent the outer ends of said arms,

frame about a left and right telescopic pillars interconnecting saidwheel support members and said vehicle frame,

said arms having a plurality of openings,

the tips of said end portions being angled upwardly and extendingthrough said openings,

clamping means securing said end portions to said arms,

said bars having generally parallel longitudinally extended strutportions interconnecting said end portions and said transverse portions,

said bars being constructed to position said suspension armslongitudinally, to resiliently support said chassis on said suspensionarms and to resiliently resist angular displacement of said frame abouta longitudinal roll axis.

8. An independent suspension system for a motor vehicle comprising avehicle frame,

left and right steerable road wheels and suspension meansinterconnecting said wheels and said frame,

said suspension means comprising mutually independent left and rightwheel support members rotatably supporting said left and right roadwheels,

left and right suspension arms pivotally connected to said left andright wheel support members at one of their ends and to saidframe at theother of their ends,

left and right telescopic guide pillars interconnecting said wheelsupport' members and said vehicle frame,

said pillars and said suspension arms defining the jounce and reboundpath for said wheels,

a plurality of torsion bars arranged in generally sideby-side fashionand having generally parallel transversely extending midportions,

rubber bushing means securing said transverse portions to said frame,

said transverse midportions being longitudinally spaced from the axis ofrotation of said wheels in a forward direction,

said bars having laterally extending end portions connected to saidsuspension arms adjacent the'outer ends of said arms,

said arms having a plurality of openings,

the tip of each of said end portion being angled upwardly and extendingthrough said openings,

clamping means securing said end portions to said arms, a

said bars having generally parallel longitudinally extended strutportions interconnecting said end portions and said transverse portions,

said bars being constructed to position said suspension armslongitudinally, to resiliently support said chassis on said suspensionarms and to resiliently resist angular displacement of said frame abouta Y longitudinal roll axis.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENTNO.:3,733,087

DATED May 15 1973 INVENTOR(S) 1 William D. Allison It is certified thaterror appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column i, line 1, change "chassis" to frame line 61, change "chassis" toframe Column 5, line 35, change "chassis" to frame Column 6, line 13,change chassis" to frame 5 line 53, change "chassis" to frame Signed andSealed this second Day Of September 1975 [SEAL] A ties t:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arlesling ()jlf'r'z'er ('mnmissr'mzarqflarwrrs and Trademarks

1. An independent suspension system for a motor vehicle comprising avehicle frame, left and right steerable road wheels and suspension meansinterconnecting said wheels and said frame, said suspension meanscomprising mutually independent left and right wheel support membersrotatably supporting said left and right road wheels, left and rightsuspension arms connected to said left and right wheel support members,respectively, and to said frame, a plurality of torsion bars havinggenerally parallel transversely extending midportions mounted on saidvehicle frame, said bars having laterally extending end portions, meansrigidly securing said end portions to said suspension arms adjacent theouter ends of said arms, said bars having longitudinally extended strutportions interconnecting said end portions and said transverse portions,said bars being constructed to position said suspension armslongitudinally, said bars being preloaded in torsion to resilientlysupport said frame on said suspension arms, and said bars beingconstructed to resiliently resist angular displacement of said frameabout a longitudinal roll axis.
 2. An independent suspension system fora motor vehicle comprising a vehicle frame, left and right steerableroad wheels and suspension means interconnecting said wheels and saidframe, said suspension means comprising mutually independent left andright wheel support members rotatably supporting said left and rightroad wheels, left and right suspension arms pivotally connected to saidleft and right wheel support members at one of their ends and to saidframe at the other of their ends, torsion bar means having atransversely extending midportion mounted on said vehicle frame, saidtransverse midportion being longitudinally spaced from the axis ofrotation of said wheels, said bar means having laterally outwardlyextending end portions, clamping means rigidly securing said endportions to said arms adjacent the outer ends of said arms, said barmeans having longitudinally extended strut portions interconnecting saidend portions and said transverse portion, said bar means beingconstructed to position said suspension arms longitudinally, said barsbeing preloaded in torsion to resiliently support said chassis on saidsuspension arms, and said bars being constructed to resiliently resistangular displacement of said frame about a longitudinal roll axis.
 3. Anindependent suspension system for a motor vehicle comprising a vehicleframe, left and right steerable road wheels and suspension meansinterconnecting said wheels and said frame, said suspension meanscomprising mutually independent left and right wheel support membersrotatably supporting said left and right road wheels, left and rightsuspension arms interconnecting said left and right wheel supportmembers and said frame, a plurality of torsion bars arranged ingenerally side-by-side fashion and having generally paralleltransversely extending midportions mounted on said vehicle frame, saidtransverse midportions being longitudinally spaced from the axis ofrotation of said wheels, said bars having laterally extending endportions, means rigidly securing said end portions to said suspensionarms adjacent the outer ends of said arms, said bars having generallyparallel longitudinally extended strut portions interconnecting said endportions and said transverse portions, said bars being constructed toposition said suspension arms longitudinally, said bars being preloadedin torsion to resiliently support said chassis on said suspension arms,and said bars being constructed to resiliently resist angulardisplacement of said frame about a longitudinal roll axis.
 4. Anindependent suspension system for a motor vehicle according to claim 3and including: left and right telescopic pillars interconnecting saidwheel support members and said vehicle frame.
 5. An independentsuspension system for a motor vehicle according to claim 3 andincluding: said transverse midportions being longitudinally spaced fromthe axis of rotation of said wheels in a forward direction.
 6. Anindependent suspension system for a motor vehicle comprising a vehicleframe, left and right road wheels and suspension means interconnectingsaid wheels and said frame, said suspension means comprising mutuallyindependent left and right wheel support members rotatably supportingsaid left and right road wheels, left and right suspension armsinterconnecting said left and right wheel support members and saidframe, a plurality of torsion bars arranged in generally side-by-sidefashion and having generally parallel transversely extending midportionsmounted on said vehicle frame, said transverse midportions beinglongitudinally spaced from the axis of rotation of said wheels, saidbars having laterally extending end portions connected to saidsuspension arms adjacent the outer ends of said arms, said arms having aplurality of openings, the tips of said end portions being angledupwardly and extending through said openings, clamping means securingsaid end portions to said arms, said bars having generally parallellongitudinally extended strut portions interconnecting said end portionsand said transverse portions, said bars being constructed to positionsaid suspension arms longitudinally, to resiliently support said chassison said suspension arms and to resiliently resist angular displacementof said frame about a longitudinal roll axis.
 7. An independentsuspension system for a motor vehicle comprising a vehicle frame, leftand right road wheels and suspension means interconnecting said wheelsand said frame, said suspension means comprising mutually independentleft and right wheel support members rotatably supporting said left andright road wheels, left and right suspension arms interconnecting saidleft and right wheel support members and said frame, a pluraLity oftorsion bars arranged in generally side-by-side fashion and havinggenerally parallel transversely extending midportions mounted on saidvehicle frame, said transverse midportions being longitudinally spacedfrom the axis of rotation of said wheels, said bars having laterallyextending end portions connected to said suspension arms adjacent theouter ends of said arms, left and right telescopic pillarsinterconnecting said wheel support members and said vehicle frame, saidarms having a plurality of openings, the tips of said end portions beingangled upwardly and extending through said openings, clamping meanssecuring said end portions to said arms, said bars having generallyparallel longitudinally extended strut portions interconnecting said endportions and said transverse portions, said bars being constructed toposition said suspension arms longitudinally, to resiliently supportsaid chassis on said suspension arms and to resiliently resist angulardisplacement of said frame about a longitudinal roll axis.
 8. Anindependent suspension system for a motor vehicle comprising a vehicleframe, left and right steerable road wheels and suspension meansinterconnecting said wheels and said frame, said suspension meanscomprising mutually independent left and right wheel support membersrotatably supporting said left and right road wheels, left and rightsuspension arms pivotally connected to said left and right wheel supportmembers at one of their ends and to said frame at the other of theirends, left and right telescopic guide pillars interconnecting said wheelsupport members and said vehicle frame, said pillars and said suspensionarms defining the jounce and rebound path for said wheels, a pluralityof torsion bars arranged in generally side-by-side fashion and havinggenerally parallel transversely extending midportions, rubber bushingmeans securing said transverse portions to said frame, said transversemidportions being longitudinally spaced from the axis of rotation ofsaid wheels in a forward direction, said bars having laterally extendingend portions connected to said suspension arms adjacent the outer endsof said arms, said arms having a plurality of openings, the tip of eachof said end portion being angled upwardly and extending through saidopenings, clamping means securing said end portions to said arms, saidbars having generally parallel longitudinally extended strut portionsinterconnecting said end portions and said transverse portions, saidbars being constructed to position said suspension arms longitudinally,to resiliently support said chassis on said suspension arms and toresiliently resist angular displacement of said frame about alongitudinal roll axis.